Hanwha Aerospace is set to collaborate with U.S. defense giant Northrop Grumman on the joint development of a cutting-edge long-range missile system.
The company announced on Wednesday that it had inked a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Northrop Grumman at the Sea-Air-Space 2026 exhibition in National Harbor, Maryland. The agreement, signed on Tuesday, focuses on the development of the first-stage solid rocket motor for the Advanced Reactive Strike (AReS) missile system.
AReS, a ground-launched long-range missile weapon system being developed by Northrop Grumman, is designed to deliver high-performance propulsion for rapid mobility and launch capabilities, crucial in modern warfare scenarios.
This partnership will see Hanwha Aerospace involved from the initial stages of developing the first-stage rocket motor for AReS.
Leveraging its global manufacturing prowess and advanced production technologies, Hanwha aims to accelerate both development and production timelines. The joint development team has set an ambitious target for system demonstration by 2027.
This strategic collaboration aims to bolster long-range strike capabilities in response to evolving battlefield dynamics while expanding the partners’ footprint in U.S. and allied defense markets.
A Hanwha Aerospace spokesperson emphasized that this partnership will significantly enhance the company’s technological and manufacturing capabilities, paving the way for a stronger presence in the U.S. defense sector.